2 hrs ago
Kharge Accuses Modi Government of Withholding Karnataka Funds
BJP leaders protested in Bengaluru about Karnataka’s money problems.
Priyank Kharge, a Karnataka minister, blamed the central government for not giving the state money he said it was legally owed.
He said Karnataka had to go to court to seek disaster-relief funds.
Kharge also asked why farmers were not receiving loan relief.
He said the central government should explain its policies on drought and farm assistance.
A court has asked for a special team to investigate an alleged recruitment scam.
Kharge said the state police investigation was already working and that officials were reviewing the court order.
He also criticized BJP leaders over claims about reciting Vande Mataram.
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge accused the Centre of withholding statutory grants and providing the state only an “empty box.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party protested in Bengaluru, alleging financial mismanagement, bankruptcy and diversion of funds for Dalit communities.
Kharge said Karnataka had approached the Supreme Court over National Disaster Response Fund assistance and criticized the Centre’s drought-relief procedures.
He questioned why farmer loans could not be waived while alleging that large-business loans worth Rs 14 lakh crore had been waived.
Kharge opposed a Karnataka High Court-directed Special Investigation Team in the Karnataka Public Service Commission case while the Criminal Investigation Department inquiry continues.
- Who
- Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- What
- A dispute over Karnataka’s finances, central grants, drought relief, farmer assistance and investigations into an alleged Karnataka Public Service Commission recruitment scam.
- Where
- Bengaluru, Karnataka, including a BJP protest near the Kengal Hanumanthaiah statue.
- When
- Wednesday; the article does not provide a calendar date.
- Why
- BJP leaders accused the Karnataka administration of financial mismanagement and fund diversion, while Kharge blamed the Centre for withholding funds and demanded accountability on relief policies.
Karnataka Congress and government view
Bharatiya Janata Party view
State finances and central funding
Karnataka Congress and government view
Kharge says the Centre has withheld statutory grants and disaster-relief funds, leaving Karnataka to seek judicial intervention.
Bharatiya Janata Party view
The BJP says the Karnataka administration is financially bankrupt, economically mismanaged and diverting funds intended for Dalit communities.
Drought and farmer relief
Karnataka Congress and government view
Kharge says drought declarations follow central government rules and argues that the Centre should provide stronger farmer policies and loan relief.
Bharatiya Janata Party view
The BJP’s protest focused on the state’s financial condition and alleged misuse of funds; the article does not provide a detailed BJP response on Kharge’s farmer-loan questions.
KPSC recruitment investigation
Karnataka Congress and government view
Kharge says a Criminal Investigation Department inquiry is already thorough and questions whether a separate Special Investigation Team serves the investigation’s interests.
Bharatiya Janata Party view
The Karnataka High Court directed that a Special Investigation Team be constituted to probe the alleged recruitment scam.
Key facts
- Speaker
- Priyank Kharge, Karnataka minister
- Protesting group
- Bharatiya Janata Party leaders
- Protest location
- Kengal Hanumanthaiah statue, Bengaluru
- Disputed assistance
- National Disaster Response Fund support sought by Karnataka
- Court action
- The Supreme Court previously ordered action after Karnataka sought disaster-relief funds, according to Kharge
- Recruitment investigation
- The Karnataka High Court directed the formation of a Special Investigation Team while a Criminal Investigation Department inquiry is ongoing
- Loan figure cited
- Kharge referred to Rs 14 lakh crore in loans allegedly waived for big businessmen
Quotes
Priyank Kharge
Karnataka minister and Congress leader responding to BJP criticism of the state government
“They are asking for a loan waiver. So why doesn't the Modi government do it? They can waive off Rs 14 lakh crore loans of big businessmen. Why can't they waive off loans of the farmers? Why are they not having any pro-farmer policy? Today, the BJP has to do the answering, not us,”
deccanchronicle.com
“I agree with them; there is no fund that is received from the Central Government. The Modi government has given us nothing, only an empty box. Last year also, when we asked for funds from the NDRF, which was constitutionally and legally supposed to be given, they did not give.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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